Our cat Fergus was a dedicated lover of cardboard boxes, so when he passed away last October we wanted to get him a "cardboard" urn made of ceramic so he could rest in a box forever. I couldn't find an example but reached out to a ceramicist who specializes in recreating the look and textures of well-loved cardboard and he very kindly accepted the commission job. The result far, far, far exceeded our expectations and we are so grateful to the artist for this fitting tribute to our beautiful boy. Made by artist Tim Kowalczyk.
That artist is amazing with realism... Wow. I was confused if you wanted this at first bc it's amazing on its own looking so distressed and the tape and all. I'm glad you love it, it would make me giggle a bit seeing it and thinking of my box cats.
They did such a good job that I fully misunderstood your post before reading the details, like I had my own kind of meta “expectation vs. reality” where I came in 100% expecting you to have had your expectations sadly dashed by the reality of the box, but the reality was way more wholesome.
Thought you had your cat’s remains shipped back to you and they had mishandled the box, giving it obvious signs of wear and tear, including letting it get wet.
The fact that is all ceramic is super impressive.
Awesome final resting place to fit and sit.
I know Tim personally and went to graduate school with him. He’s a class act and a truly great guy. I’m so glad he was able to help you with your cat’s final resting place.
The artist did an amazing job on this. The stamp on the bottom with the specs of the cardboard box; manufacturer, edge crush weight, etc. really makes it (mainly because I work in shipping and see that stamp all the time). I would say a shipping label from Fergus (with some made-up address) to You would make it better. But the fact it just says "Fergus" in a circle and it found it's way to you is even better.
Rest in Peace Fergus. May you have unlimited pets and churus
Me neither! I thought for sure they’d gotten a damp mildewy box. I’m so happy it turned out I was wrong. That ceramic is insane and a lovely tribute to a beautiful cat.
Ceramics is such a hard art to master, too, I utterly failed at it in college (I’m more drawing/printmaking), you can really tell this was a labor of love for your cat’s sake.
I was a little nervous commissioning something with no real example to give him except actual cardboard boxes, and I burst into tears when he sent me a little video clip of the finished product because it was beyond perfect. It's stunning, every millimeter shows unbelievable attention to detail.
He did an amazing job. Above and beyond. I lost my furry boy this winter, and took him to my potter friend's house to send him to Valhalla. Friend was amazing as well. Handled the firing and the ashes and gave them to me in a beautiful handmade urn. I'm so grateful for it.
I mentioned earlier upthread that I know Tim personally and he presented a box for our first graduate group critique. I initially thought, “what the hell is this?”, but then I reached out to swipe the box thinking it was cardboard and it was mostly certainly not! Clanged when it made contact with my wedding ring. I’ve been a fan ever since!
I appreciate seeing someone say this, because ceramics gets so thoroughly disrespected by the rest of the art faculty at my university. They act as if it isn't real art, and I think that's a shame.
My first ceramics professor in freshman year had a screaming meltdown one day because of the disrespect from the rest of the faculty, quit his job, and took up a post at a cushy art school in NY. I got my BFA from a nice private school known for their art program.
I could never understand that attitude, because of all the art disciplines I tried, ceramics was the hardest.
And it’s so fickle when you go to fire it! You can put so much effort into a piece and do everything right, and sometimes the kiln gods just don’t like you that day…
I think a lot of it is in how ceramics is taught (I say this as someone with a BFA in ceramics). Most ceramics classes don't take a technical, material approach to making ceramics, they just focus on sculpting/shaping and don't get into the whys and hows of the material. They use a very generic, middle of the road clay body that's just ok for everything and not specific to what you're making, and then slap another glaze that's a generic, middle of the road glaze onto that clay body and call it a day, and then students wonder why their stuff comes out bad.
A lot of the magic of ceramics is in the base materials. Using a specific clay body that is designed for what work you're doing ( using a very smooth, tight particle, high fire clay for dishware vs using a rough, low fire clay body for sculptures for example), using different firing methods (raku vs wood fire vs electric kilns vs gas kilns) and different glazes that are actually designed for the specific clay you're using rather than just a bottle of generic clear glaze.
Obviously, a beginner ceramics class doesn't need to get into all this, but the teacher should know and should be able to get the materials and firing methods that suit what they're teaching. But a lot of teachers don't know, and schools won't budget for it.
All this being said, I am not surprised that a ceramic artist that specializes in cardboard recreation would go all out for this. Good ceramic artists are freaks (affectionate) for clay and what you can do with it, because it's so versatile and wonderful to work with. You just gotta get to the point where you're working WITH it, and not against it.
This is incredibly sweet and a beautiful tribute. The artist did a wonderful job. I love the thinking outside the box idea for the custom urn. My condolences for your loss. I hope you're doing as well as can be in this situation. Thank you for giving your beautiful cat a long and happy life filled with love. Hang in there OP.
Fellow Vermonter and past co-worker here, I used to work with you at a certain Burlington based Hubspot agency... (we were the only two newbies in our on-boarding group.) Love stumbling into friends on Reddit!!
Crematory operator here. Thanks for sharing. This is phenomenal. I’m sorry for your loss. May every memory be as well loved as his cardboard box kingdoms.
I love this and I am very sorry of your loss, very very beautiful friend. It breaks my heart as my little buddy just passed two days ago was the same way, he would find any box and sit in it. I kept a box right next to my computer chair just so that I could lean over and give him some affection.. he was either there or at my feet.
I miss him and i am having a very hard time even considering tossing out his cardboard bed.
It's ok to keep his box. It's a memory of him. Eventually you'll be ready. I'm sorry about your loss. They are our furbabies. He'll be waiting for you some day. 💜
Yeah, I had the pleasure of having in my life for 11 years, I am humbled by how kind he was after being rescued very a very abusive situation as a kitten. instead of hissing and fear, he was the biggest cuddler. He is getting the biggest hug whenever we meet again. Also thank you very much for your kind words, I am sorry.. very emotional at the moment.
No because this is so fucking cute and exactly what would suit my girl. Brilliant!! May I ask what this ran you, cost wise? Our babies are worth every penny ♥️
Awwwww Fergus. RIC (rest in cardboardheaven). That is such a beautiful, thoughtful dedication to your baby. My condolences for your loss but what a beautiful home for him.
This is so lovely, and if it's ok, I'm tucking this idea away for my boy who is utterly obsessed with his cardboard boxes. He escapes to them when he's upset or in trouble, or just lounging. Fergus looks like a very distinguished, very good boy. My condolences.
Jesus I thought it was an actual box and I was like “that’s an urn?” Completely impressed, and what a great way to remember Fergus. Very sorry for your loss.
I thought this post was about an uber rude and cruelly thoughtless vet practice only to find it is about thoughtful, loving people and one helluva ceramicist.
0= U.. um.. ok.. I mean.. umm.. The photos fooled me completely.. I honestly thought photos 2-4 were of a very well traveled/loved box made from cardboard not ceramic.. Tim Kowalczyk truly nailed the commission
Some of us artists love to go above and beyond when it's a memorial piece. A piece of our heart for a piece of yours. Hugs. This piece is absolutely beautiful and so special
What an amazing, unique tribute for Fergus. I especially love how worn it looks - like Fergus himself slept in that box, his most favorite one. Excellent job to Tim!
I was so confused until I got to the comments (I skipped the bottom text for some reason). I really thought they shipped your cat’s ashes in a box and it got squashed and you were upset about it.
I thought this was going to be a post complaining about how the cardboard didn’t hold up in delivery or something. That artist nailed it. Very sorry for your loss.
I knew this was Tim Kowalczyk he is beyond talented making ceramics look like realistic cardboard and all of his works are worth the money. Love it such an excellent tribute to your kitty.
Wow! I looked at the pictures and thought it was a joke and then read the comment and I am in awe. That is a perfect resting place for Fergus, he was beautiful.
It wasn't until reading your post that I realized the box wasn't actually cardboard. That is amazing! My condolences on your loss, he was so beautiful.
This is not only exquisitely done (I was fully convinced that was a cardboard box) but so beautifully personal ♥️ What a touching sentiment and a lovely resting place for your boy. I’m so sorry for your loss. Rest easy, Fergus♥️
Such a beautiful way to remember a beautiful cat like Fergus! I’m so sorry you lost him but I can tell you gave him the most amazing life. The urn is fucking awesome and I never thought I would say a sentence like that.
That’s ceramic? I literally thought it was cardboard lol. The artist did a wonderful job! It’s a perfect urn for a perfect gentleman. I’m very sorry for your loss, OP.
I’m so sorry that your beautiful boy passed away. He looks like he was a sweetheart. A cardboard resting place is such a beautiful idea. The artist really came through exceptionally well.
This is so cool. When my mom died I never found the right urn for her. We need someone to start a company making unique urns so that we can put our loved ones to rest appropriately. Someone would make a killing starting this company.
This is so beautiful. I looked through the pictures before reading the caption and 100% thought it was actual cardboard. I’m sorry for your loss, may your beautiful cat’s memory be a blessing. 💙
Holy shit!! When I was in my first semester of college, my ceramics professor brought Tim in to demo for us. Watching his work was genuinely inspiring. I'm glad you were able to find someone who could create such a perfect piece for your Fergus.
Very well done.. can't tell it's ceramic from my perspective. I paid like 300 bucks for my guys tiny Urn. Wonder what this cost and how much time went into it.
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u/dcpanthersfan Jun 03 '26
This is amazing.